001133 Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Said LowerNovember 18, 2000Washington - It won't cost as much to feed the family on Thanksgiving Day as it did last year, the American Farm Bureau Federation says citing declining farm prices. A dinner for 10 people this year will cost $32.37, down $1.46 from 1999, according to the group's annual survey. This is the first time the Thanksgiving dinner price has dropped since 1991. The drop reflects a decline in the cost of a wide range of food items, including milk, sweet potatoes and the turkey itself. “What we are seeing is a fairly large supply of pretty much every commodity produced in this country,” said Joe Miller, an economist for the farm group. “We've seen low prices at the farm level for two or three years now,” and those declines are now trickling down to grocery shoppers, he added. Since the group started tracking Thanksgiving dinner costs in 1986, the price has risen $3.63. This year's survey was based on visits to supermarkets by 121 shoppers in 30 states. Here's the breakdown for this year's dinner bill: -A 16-pound turkey, $12.52, down an average of $1.71 from last year. -Gallon of whole milk, $2.56, down 39 cents. -Three-pound bag of sweet potatoes, $1.94, down 23 cents. -Package of cubed stuffing, $2.14, down 16 cents. -Package of fresh cranberries, $1.54, down 16 cents. -Can of pumpkin pie mix, $1.54, down 7 cents. -Frozen green peas, $1.06, down 7 cents. -Half-pint of whipping cream, $1.11, down 4 cents. -Package of brown-and-serve rolls, $1.36, down a penny. -Pound of celery and carrots for relish tray, 75 cents, down 5 cents. A group of miscellaneous items that includes coffee, onions, eggs and sugar will cost $2.73, 27 cents less than last year. One item to increase in price this year is a package of pie shells, up 12 cents to $1.54.
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